Yuma Balloon Festival 2024 in Arizona

Yuma Balloon Festival, or The Colorado River Crossing Hot Air Balloon Festival, proudly presented by the Caballeros de Yuma, holds a cherished spot in Arizona's autumn calendar. Each mid-November, West Wetland Park transforms into a canvas for this cherished event, showcasing the vibrant and captivating balloons of the West and Southwest. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Colorado River and the Sonoran Desert, it's an occasion you won't want to miss.

Program

Visitors must prepare for an extraordinary display as hot air balloons grace the Yuma skies with dazzling colors. The weekend promises much excitement, including the enchanting Desert Balloon Glow, ensuring fun for the entire family. Morning Launches kick off the festivities at West Wetlands Park, where balloons ascend into the sky against the backdrop of the rising sun. Meanwhile, the Desert Sun Stadium hosts the magical Balloon Glow event, illuminating the night with the radiant colors of the balloons. Visitors can treat themselves to various culinary delights from numerous vendors throughout the festival grounds.

Schedule

West Wetlands Park welcomes early birds at 6 am, with balloons taking flight shortly after sunrise, typically around 7 am. On Saturday at the Desert Sun Stadium, gates open at 3 pm, and balloon inflation begins at 5:30 pm, followed by a spectacular fireworks display around 7 pm. Tethered Balloon Rides are scheduled for Saturday from 4-7 pm and Sunday from 7:15 - 9 am.

Tickets

Visitors can gain entry to the Morning Launches by bringing along a non-perishable canned food item to support Crossroads Mission. For the Evening Glow event, admission is $3 per person, alongside a non-perishable canned food item. Children aged five and under can enter free of charge. Tethered rides are $25 per person. Age and weight limitations may apply per pilot discretion. All rides are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Tethered rides usually go up 50-75 feet and last about 15-20 minutes.

Rules & Restrictions

Attendees are warmly invited to enhance their festival experience by bringing along blankets and lawn chairs for extra comfort. However, outside food and drinks are prohibited at Desert Sun Stadium, and alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited as well. Coolers, bicycles, skateboards, weapons, and drones are not allowed on the event grounds, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all attendees.

Besides the Balloons

Yuma is located in southwest Arizona. Besides its remarkable West Wetland Park, the host city boasts several other curious sites worth seeing. If you have spare time, make sure to visit Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park and Quartermaster Depot State Historic Park. Also, check out a 1907 steam locomotive on Pivot Point Plaza—this locomotive used to serve the Southern Pacific Railroad, which once ran through Yuma.